Neighbors Push Back Against Whole Foods Store Proposed In Old Saybrook

OLD SAYBROOK, CT — Whole Foods Market has plans to open an Old Saybrook store, but some neighbors have concerns about the plans, WTNH News-8 reported.

The proposed location of the new store, at Boston Post Road (Route 1) and Spencer Plain Road is near a large marsh bordering the Chalker Beach neighborhood.

Some residents say that the area already is subject to routine flooding and that adding a Whole Foods store would only make it worse, according to WTNH News-8.

However, Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna said the addition of Whole Foods will actually improve conditions, The Connecticut Post reported. If the application is approved, Fortuna said "it will come with the latest in drainage systems technology and a new septic system." Many homes in the Chalker Beach area currently have aging septic systems.

The company pulled its original application for the project earlier this year and resubmitted a revised version of the proposal, according to The Connecticut Post.

It's expected that the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission will vote on the proposal at its next meeting Oct. 19. If approved, it would go to the Zoning Commission.

The store is estimated to cost $16 million to build and take 14 to 16 months to complete, according to an application filed with the town. The proposed store would be 40,000 square feet with another 25,365 square feet devoted to additional retail space and a "potential medical office."

Whole Foods has 10 locations in Connecticut. The two closest locations to Old Saybrook are in Milford and Glastonbury.

Read the full story at WTNH News-8 and The Connecticut Post.